Reiteration of NUCP Call for Release of Fr. Sinnot

 

A REITERATION OF OUR CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF FR. MICHAEL SINNOT AND AN APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT AND MEDIA TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT AND VIGILANCE

                The National Ulama Conference of the Philippines (NUCP), a national organization of Muslim religious scholars aspiring for the attainment of truth and justice and working for peace and development through the exercise of moral and spiritual leadership reiterates its strong condemnation of the kidnapping of Fr. Michael Sinnot last October 11, 2009 at Pagadian City.

                The abduction is an act that is against the teachings of Islam. Aside from the pursuance of religious tolerance, Islam, even in times of war, spares from the conflict old people, women, children, and religious leaders. We reiterate our call to the abductors of Fr. Sinnot for his immediate and unconditional release in the name of the Islamic teachings of peace, dialogue and tolerance. We also call upon all citizens who may have knowledge of the whereabouts of Fr. Sinnot to come forward and help for his immediate release.

                We likewise call upon the government and the media to exercise restraint and vigilance in pointing accusing fingers to the MILF, specially at this point in time when the need for building confidence is necessary for a sustained peace endeavors in Mindanao. We also call upon the MILF leadership to continue exerting the required effort not only for the release of the abducted priest but also to help pinpoint the real culprits and aid in bringing them to the bar of justice to answer for the crime they have committed not only against the law of the land but also against the law of Allah.